The plan was put together by assemblyman Edward Burke and the city’s Department of Planning and Development. As part of the proposal, the city would also decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana.

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signed a bill legalizing medical marijuana this August, and the measure officially takes effect Jan. 1. The state is still developing regulations and will begin the licensing process next year.

Quinn said the law “has the nation’s strictest safeguards to prevent abuse.” Medial patients cannot grow their own marijuana. Only doctors that are currently treating a patient for a specific malady can prescribe marijuana. Under the program, patients can purchase 2.5 ounces of marijuana during a two-week period.